Connie Mueller winner of the
"2011 Alumni Leadership Award"

Connie Mueller (Leadership Kitsap Class of 2001) has been a leader in Kitsap County for many years, her endless giving of time to the community is reflected in many community projects; she is very deserving of the alumni award with the many accomplishments and contributions she has made in making Kitsap County a better place to live for many in our community. Connie has been working in the field of human services for over 20 years as a volunteer and as a staff member. Her career has been devoted to at-risk families and children from newborn to teens. Connie also co-founded the Bainbridge Island Teen Center for youth that needed a safe, supervised, and drug-free place to hang out, do homework or to get a hot meal. 

 Connie was also a director for 12 years prior to coming to Kitsap Community Resources Head Start/Early Head Start/ECEA Programs in 2002.  She has been the Director of the Early Learning and Family Services Division since 2004, and sits on the Kitsap Shared Resources Advisory Board, Kitsap County Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Board, and Readiness to Learn Consortium, Standards of Health Board, the Olympic Peninsula Kitsap County Providers Partnership Collaboration, and the Kitsap Inter-Agency Coordinating Council. Connie also serves as the current President of the Washington State Association for Head Start and ECEAP and is the secretary for LKAA.

Accomplishments:

Co-owner of Mueller Construction for 30 Years; Received Citizen of the Year Award in 1995 from the Kiwanis Club of Bainbridge Island; Received the Woman of Achievement Award in 2001 from the YWCA; Graduate of Leadership Kitsap Class of 2001; Secretary LKAA 2011; Served on KCR Board of Directors 1998 to 2002; Served on Bainbridge Youth Services Board from 1989 to 2002; Connie has served as Board President for the Kitsap County Commission on Children and Youth; Boys and Girls Club of Bainbridge Island; Bainbridge Foundation; Health, Housing, and Human Services Commission of Bainbridge Island; and the Bainbridge Island Teen Center.

Thank you for your continued support of our many Kitsap communities and organizations. Your continued volunteerism and leadership makes Kitsap County a better place to live for all.  

Thank you,

LKAA Board of Directors, the Leadership Kitsap Board, and Executive Director

Leadership Kitsap Alumni Association (LKAA)  

Leadership makes things happen. It identifies opportunities, shapes opinions, and meets the community's challenges. Meeting these complex challenges requires a vigorous, informed group of leaders that represents all segments of our community. With each graduating class, Leadership Kitsap increases the number of informed and vigorous civic volunteers who understand the needs of the community and are committed to meeting its challenges. There are currently 393 alumni members to date.

The alumni board meets monthly to plan and organize social events and to continue to help the community in many ways through numerous member volunteer efforts. The alumni association also participates in the planning and delivery of Challenge Days and Retreats. They serve on the LK Board of Directors and on various committees, organize the awards process, and help create new opportunities for alumni through networking. Creating and sending out the LKAA newsletter stories are just another way for us to keep the alumni informed. LKAA is committed to offering beneficial programs for the alumni of Leadership Kitsap. LKAA also provides a connection and continued support between the Leadership Kitsap Program and our alumni. So, please stay connected because the way we offer these events and connections are by having the alumni members continued support and involvement after graduation.

Be recognized and acknowledged for supporting LKAA by pledging and/or renewing your membership dues by contributing to either the LKAA General Fund or the Hanten-Berger Scholarship Fund. This year the scholarship fund will be able to help 4 students go through the Leadership Kitsap Program. Also, we would like to recognize and thank the (CFC) Combined Federal Campaign (Leadership Kitsap #88851) for over $1,200 in donations to the scholarship fund this year. Just a reminder; all proceeds from the Leadership Kitsap Alumni Association's silent auction were donated to the Hanten-Berger scholarship fund this year to help new students experience the Leadership Kitsap program.

We also know in this economic time that watching the budget closely is something we are all doing and paying dues is not at the top of the list of things to accomplish today, but we ask for your continued support of the alumni association to help support the many LKAA programs with the dues we collect. We would love to have your support this year, so please help us help you, by supporting LKAA with your contribution of $25.

Thank you for your support; contributions can be made at:

Leadership Kitsap Foundation, 647 4th St. Bremerton, WA 98337 or on the Leadership Kitsap Website at www.leadershipkitsap.org, click donate; you will be directed to the Network for Good which is the online donation processing service for nonprofits to accept credit card contributions on the Web. Under designation please write either the LKAA General Fund or the Hanten-Berger Scholarship Fund. Again thank you for your continued support of the alumni association.

LK Class of 2012 Orientation Night

Orientation on August 23rd at the Olympic College Poulsbo campus was a huge success! LK President, Melissa Tippets (LK05), did a great job welcoming the class and encouraging them about the year ahead. Board member, Kelly Woodward (LK05), facilitated a fun and interesting ice breaker activity. Project co-chairs, Jennifer Allik (LK11) and Schuyler Beaver (LK11) did a wonderful job facilitating an overview of community project expectations.  Curriculum co-chairs, Leslie Cole and Dr. Sandi Cross (LK10) provided great insight into Challenge Day expectations. Dr. Sandi Cross also spoke about the benefits and challenges of working in teams. 

The alumni presentation by Cindy Purser-Drover (LK11) was well received by the class. Addressing the new class of leaders with enthusiasm and motivation, Cindy challenged the class to be the best they can be, have fun, and enjoy the year.

A special thanks to all the Board of Directors who came in support of the evening.  In addition to those mentioned previously; Kim Churchill, Andrea Spencer, and Shelley Wood attended. 

For a complete Leadership Kitsap 2012 class list and Calendar of Events for 2011-2012, go to www.leadershipkitsap.org and visit our facebook fan page .  

Leadership Kitsap Announces New Executive Committee and Board of Directors

Leadership Kitsap has selected their new Executive Committee to oversee the local community leadership program.  Melissa Tippets (LK 05), an active community member, will serve as President;  Andrea Spencer (LK08), Community Development Director for the City of Bremerton, will serve as President-elect; Dave Walters (LK03), Engineering Manager at PSNS&IMF will serve as Secretary; Irmgard Davis (LK 97), Finance and Information Systems Director  for Kitsap Community Resources will be Finance Chair; Tim Drury (LK 03),  Chief of the Felony Division of the Kitsap County Prosecutor's Office,  will serve as Past President; and Ken Bagwell (LK 06), Attorney at Law, will serve as Board Member at large.

New Board members appointed for the 2011-2012 curriculum year include:  Ruth Bond, Kitsap Regional Library Sylvan Way Branch Manager; Dr. Sandra Cross (LK10), Educational Instructor and Counselor; Patrick Murray (LK08), Executive Director of Boys & Girls Club of Bainbridge Island; and Kelly Woodward (LK05), Director of Development at the Olympic College Foundation. Jennifer Allik (LK11), AmericCorps Division Director; and Schuyler Beaver (LK11), Nuclear Engineer PSNS & IMF, will be the Class of 2012 Projects Chairs.   

Board members continuing service this year include: Kim Churchill, FISC Puget Sound; Leslie Cole, community member; Maurice Correia, Skookum; Dave Foote, United Way of Kitsap County; Greg Lynch, Central Kitsap School District; Connie Merrill, Kitsap Mental Health; Carly Michelson, community member; Kathy Nelson, Leadership Kitsap; Jessie Palmer, YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties; Marie Singleton, Harrison Medical Center; and Shelley Wood, Clearwater Casino & Resort.  

Leadership Kitsap would also like to acknowledge the hard work and support of outgoing Board members Greg Abell, Corinne Beach (LK10), Phedra Elliott (LK10), Deborah Horn (LK96), and Dr. Gina Huston (LK08). Thank you for your commitment to excellence and service to the community.